Steelers, wearing poppies woven in to their jerseys, put on a respectful pre-match show. And in sporting terms, a pretty devastating one when the action started, running away with a one-sided game, 8-1.

But fans on both sides should today spare a thought for a man ingrained in both clubs’ histories.

Alex Dampier, who coached both to trophies, is facing his own battle.

The former Great Britain head coach is suffering leukaemia and has moved from home in Thunder Bay, Canada, to hospital in Cleveland, USA, to undertake a bone marrow transplant.

Alex Dampier - second most successful Sheffield Steelers coach.

Damps,’ 65, is undergoing chemotherapy - but is bearing it all with the strength that typified his time at both great clubs.

He said: “If anything good comes from this its the message to get your regular medical check-ups...and don’t think it can’t happen to you.”

On Saturday, Dampier’s old teams met in their first League encounter of the season.

In reality only one team turned up. How the old fox - a seminal figure at Steelers from 1993-8 - would have loved to have coached a win like that.

Damps - a born winner

Yet Damps would have also been disturbed by the lack of will and endeavour from undermanned Panthers.